Placerville Speedway hosts its richest race this Saturday, August 10 with $5000 to win Forni Classic

Aug. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions

PLACERVILLE, CA –  This Saturday will be the highest octane night of the season at Placerville Speedway as the evening will pay tribute to the late Mark Forni. At the end of the night a member of the Sprint Car division will proudly hoist he prestigious trophy and  a receive a $5000 payday in the 8th annual Mark Forni Classic.

         With the added bounty, top drivers from throughout California and the Pacific Northwest are expected to converge for the venue that pays homage to the late Mark Forni, a friend of the sport who lost his life far too young in the summer of 2005. The event is a high caliber Civil War Sprint Car Series event and will also include the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars for a night of racing that will not be forgotten.

         The Forni family has a great history in El Dorado County and deep ties to the El Dorado County Fairground and much of the land on which it sits. Much like his forefathers, Mark Forni had a great passion for the county fair and its attributes, especially the race track. From the time he was a young child and the days when Placerville Speedway was known as “Old Hangtown Speedway,” Mark  was actively involved with the weekly auto races, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need involved with the sport he loved.

         Later in life, Mark continued his contributions to local auto racing, sponsoring many race teams with his business, Forni’s Trucking. He later became a member of the El Dorado County Fair Board and focused on the issues regarding the future of the fair and the speedway. Mark Forni believed in working relationships. He understood the importance of race promoters, sponsorships and the one key element for every event to be successful, the spectator.

         In November of 2004, Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. In the summer of 2005, he passed away at the early age of 45. Since that time the Mark Forni Classic has paid tribute to Forni just the way he would want it, with the best drivers competing for a high paying bounty at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

         For Mark Forni, sprint car racing and his local racetrack were a very special part of his life. It is with great honor that Placerville Speedway and a group of community businesses continue to present the annual Mark Forni Classic. This Saturday, the winner of the sprint car feature will take home a $5000 victory. The added bounty comes courtesy of a number of community businesses including: Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Les Schwab Tires, Pape' Machinery, Hunt and Sons Petroleum, Armonds Giant Tire Service, MRO Inc. Industrial, Arnold's for Awards, Riebes Auto Parts and Jessica Poderick.

         Saturday';s race will be the 10^th round of the traveling Civil War Sprint Car Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tires. Nearly 40 top notch race teams are expected. Former two time champion and former Forni Classic winner Sean Becker of Roseville leads the series point standings over Justin Sanders of Prunedale who is 14-points back. Seven time champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn is third in the ranks and will look to win his third consecutive Forni Classic.  Colby Wiesz of Colfax is fourth overall while Billy Aton of Benecia rounds out the top five.

         The grandstands of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. Saturday and an early arrival to the speedway is suggested to insure seating. Adult tickets will be $16, seniors will be $14, Juniors $14, Children are $6 and those under six are free.

         As an added addition to Saturday's big race, The Leukemia and Lymphoma          Society'sTeam in Training participant and local race fan Carla Tilford will be setting up a booth          and holding a benefit raffle at the upcoming Mark Forni Classic.

         The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a not-for-profit, voluntary health organization whose mission is to cure leukemia and its related cancers — lymphoma, multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease — and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Carla became involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after members of her family had been affected by blood cancers including Hodgkin's Lymphoma in hope of making a difference to help save others lives.

         The funds raised from the drawing will support Carla’s efforts with training to run a half marathon in So. Lake Tahoe on Sept 29th. Carla's fundraising goal is to raise $2,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is halfway to target and can use your help to reach the fundraising target. Proceeds raised by this event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Greater Sacramento Chapter to provide financial assistance to families, support research for a cure and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

         Several companies and race car drivers have donated high value raffle prizes in support of this event as well as members of the Forni Family who have welcomed Tilford to the Mark Forni Classic.

         Team In Training is the world’s largest endurance training program and the signature fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The goal of Team In Training is to increase funding to support LLS’ mission while promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles for all the participants who take part in the program. Local Ambassadors will be present at the Speedway to speak to folks interested in learning more the program. In addition, information you can learn more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, which consist of individuals, like Tilford, who train for an endurance event and fundraise on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit www.teamintraining.org or call (916) 929-4720.

         Don't miss Saturday's 8^th annual Mark Forni Classic . For additional details visit www.placervillespeedway.com or www.civilwarsprints.com.